Switchboard
noun
A system used to direct phone calls to different places or people.
The phone operator at the hotel used the switchboard to connect callers to different rooms.
Often appears as...
- telephone switchboard
- operator switchboard
noun
A large panel with switches and sockets used for directing electricity.
The electrician performed maintenance on the building's switchboard.
Often appears as...
- electrical switchboard
- power switchboard
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A system used to direct phone calls to different places or people.
The phone operator at the hotel used the switchboard to connect callers to different rooms.
Often appears as...
- telephone switchboard
- operator switchboard
noun
A large panel with switches and sockets used for directing electricity.
The electrician performed maintenance on the building's switchboard.
Often appears as...
- electrical switchboard
- power switchboard
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historic Usage
Switchboard commonly refers to old telephone systems, less used in modern digital contexts.
In old movies, you might see an operator connecting calls on a switchboard.
Pro Tip 2/3Human Operator
Switchboard often implies that a person, the operator, is manually connecting calls.
She worked as a switchboard operator, dealing with dozens of calls each hour.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Automated
Don't confuse switchboard with automated systems; switchboards usually need human input.
When you call customer service, you don't reach a switchboard but an automated menu.
Pro Tip 1/3Historic Usage
Switchboard commonly refers to old telephone systems, less used in modern digital contexts.
In old movies, you might see an operator connecting calls on a switchboard.
Pro Tip 2/3Human Operator
Switchboard often implies that a person, the operator, is manually connecting calls.
She worked as a switchboard operator, dealing with dozens of calls each hour.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Automated
Don't confuse switchboard with automated systems; switchboards usually need human input.
When you call customer service, you don't reach a switchboard but an automated menu.
Pro Tip 1/3Historic Usage
Switchboard commonly refers to old telephone systems, less used in modern digital contexts.
In old movies, you might see an operator connecting calls on a switchboard.
Pro Tip 2/3Human Operator
Switchboard often implies that a person, the operator, is manually connecting calls.
She worked as a switchboard operator, dealing with dozens of calls each hour.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Automated
Don't confuse switchboard with automated systems; switchboards usually need human input.
When you call customer service, you don't reach a switchboard but an automated menu.
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Video examples
Why gun violence can't...
Until recently, the narrative in Congress was that calls from the other side, from that six percent, outnumbered calls from our side 10 to one. We're flipping that narrative on its head. After that recent terrible tragedy in San Bernardino, we jammed Congressional switchboards.
Video examples
The life of North Korean...
checkpoints if the pass through everywhere you go in the country it is a simple act of communication that is the most frustrating experience calls go to a switchboard and emails are shared by an entire organization in this context face-to-face meeting is critical for
Video examples
Why gun violence can't...
Until recently, the narrative in Congress was that calls from the other side, from that six percent, outnumbered calls from our side 10 to one. We're flipping that narrative on its head. After that recent terrible tragedy in San Bernardino, we jammed Congressional switchboards.
Video examples
The life of North Korean...
checkpoints if the pass through everywhere you go in the country it is a simple act of communication that is the most frustrating experience calls go to a switchboard and emails are shared by an entire organization in this context face-to-face meeting is critical for
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Ingrid Seward
Writer
When Prince Andrew tired of romancing a pretty dancer and turned his attentions to Koo Stark, he instructed the Buckingham Palace switchboard not to put her through when she rang.
Quote examples
Harold Coffin
American Writer
In the business world an executive knows something about everything, a technician knows everything about something and the switchboard operator knows everything.
Quote examples
Chris Connelly
I began my career as the switchboard operator at 'Rolling Stone.
Quote examples
Ingrid Seward
Writer
When Prince Andrew tired of romancing a pretty dancer and turned his attentions to Koo Stark, he instructed the Buckingham Palace switchboard not to put her through when she rang.
Quote examples
Harold Coffin
American Writer
In the business world an executive knows something about everything, a technician knows everything about something and the switchboard operator knows everything.
Quote examples
Chris Connelly
I began my career as the switchboard operator at 'Rolling Stone.
Example 1 of 3
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